"Around the clock"
November 23, 2007
Photo: Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva hands an election campaign card to a vendor while campaigning in the Tha Phra Chan pier area on Monday. APHICHIT JINAKUL
Wow. Talk about a workaholic schedule. Read the story to find out what party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has planned for today. As you read, consider whether each activity is worth the time he will have to put into it. Then watch the media coverage he gets as a result. How much television and radio time will he get from his 24-hour blitz"? Check tomorrow's Bangkok Post, Post Today and other Thai-language newspapers to see how much attention he gets.
Meanwhile, the Democrats' opponents are not taking it easy. What does the PPP have planned for today? Watch to see which party gets the best news coverage tonight and tomorrow.
workaholic – of someone who works very hard and finds it difficult to stop working and do other thing บ้างาน
media – newspapers, television, radio, etc. สื่อ
blitz – something which is done with a lot of energy, hard work and activity การทุ่มเทแรงงานแรงใจในการทำงาน
taking it easy – doing something slowly in a relaxed, comfortable way ทำอย่างสบายๆ หรือ ปล่อยตามสบาย
Abhisit to campaign around the clock today ‘meeting all voters’
PRADIT RUANGDIT MONGKOL BANGPRAPADemocrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will step up his election campaign by trying to meet voters from all walks of life around the clock.
Democrat executive Sathit Wongnongtoei said Mr Abhisit’s 24-hour-blitz would begin today.
He would reach out to people working at different times of the day, particularly those working at night.
Today, Mr Abhisit kicks off his 24-hour campaign by addressing voters in Rayong and Chon Buri provinces, said Mr Sathit. Then at 8pm he would meet hospitality business operators and workers in Pattaya.
About 11pm he would travel back to Bangkok to meet business operators, workers, tourists and taxi drivers at Khao San road entertainment area.
Then at 3.30am tomorrow Mr Abhisit would give a radio interview for those who stay up late before meeting a group of security guards.
At 4.30am he would talk to public bus drivers at the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority’s Klong Toey bus depot.
At 5.30 am, Mr Abhisit will be at Pak Klong fresh market to meet traders and workers before ending his morning activities at 6.15am by giving alms to Buddhist monks at Wat Benchamabopitr Dusitvanaram, Mr Sathit said.
Mr Abhisit reiterated yesterday the Democrats have not decided which political parties they will partner with to form a coalition government after the general election.
campaign – a series of planned activities to achieve a particular result, in this case, winning an election การหาเสียงเลือกตั้ง
walks of life – people’s jobs or positions in life วิถีชีวิต
kick off – to begin to do an organised activity เริ่มต้นขึ้น
addressing – giving a formal speech กล่าวปราศัย
hospitality business – hotels, restaurants, etc. ธุรกิจการโรงแรมและร้านอาหาร (เกี่ยวกับการให้บริการ)
depot – a place where vehicles like buses are kept and repaired โกดัง
reiterate – to repeat something you have already said ย้ำ
coalition – a government formed by two or more political parties working together พรรคร่วมรัฐบาล
Photo: People
Power party leader Samak Sundaravej, right, talks to a vendor during a
visit to the Bang Khun Sri market in Bangkok Noi yesterday. At his side
is PPP candidate Somprot Sarakoket, who is standing in the
constituency. Mr Samak and his team were well-received by members of
the public during yesterday’s campaign stop. PAWAT
LAOPAISARNTAKSIN People Power party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej yesterday took his party’s candidates in constituency 12 of Bangkok, a stronghold of the Democrats led by its party spokesman Ongart Klampaiboon, to meet voters at Bang Khun Sri market in Bangkok Noi district.
After that, Mr Samak addressed a crowd of about 200 people.
Today, PPP executives will campaign in Bangkok. Mr Samak is scheduled to meet voters at Bang Kapi fresh market about 8am.
Deputy PPP leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat would meet residents of a flat complex near Chokchai 4 police station at 9am. Then, at 5pm, Mr Samak and veteran politician Chalerm Yubamrung, a PPP candidate, will address voters at Huai Khwang market.
constituency – a district that elects its own member to parliament เขตเลือกตั้ง
candidate – a person who is trying to win an elected position ผู้ลงสมัครเลือกตั้ง
cast their ballots – to vote (ballots are voting papers) ลงคะแนนเสียง
in excess of – to be more than มากเกินคาด
stronghold – an area where there is much support for a political party เขตที่เป็นฐานคะแนนเสียง
residents – people who live in an area ผู้มีภูมิลำเนาในท้องถิ่นนั้นๆ
flat – a set of rooms where people live within a larger building แฟลต
complex – a group of buildings of a similar type in one place อาคารรวม
veteran – having a lot of experience doing something (นักการเมือง) ที่คร่ำหวอด หน้าเก่า